MSI, one of the world's leading graphics card and mainboard manufacturers, is extremely happy to announce the availability of the MSI Z77 MPOWER, world's first OC Certified mainboard. With the Z77 MPOWER, MSI is changing the game for everyone looking to get the best performance out of their CPU without worrying about long-term stability. Thanks to the OC Essentials, Military Class III components and Twin Frozr IV based thermal design the MSI Z77 MPOWER can withstand extreme loads in long duration overclocking tests. All in all, the MSI Z77 MPOWER promises to be the best choice for gamers and overclockers alike.

OC Performance means that all OC Certified tests are run at a 4.6GHz CPU speed, this simulates the high-end overclock range of today's 3rd Generation Intel Core CPUs. Stable Power is tested by running Prime95 for 24-hours in low airflow conditions. This ensures that the PWM is capable of supplying stable power to the CPU under extreme conditions. The PWM cooling is stressed in low-airflow conditions combined with high overclocks. Other motherboards might become unstable or fail under these conditions.

OC Essentials
With OC Essentials the MSI Z77 MPOWER provides all the essential overclocking tools for everyday and extreme overclocking. Easy Button III to provide on-board power and reset buttons, V-Check Points to accurately measure voltages for the CPU, integrated graphics, memory, and PCH. The two-digit Debug LED shows the exact system status while booting (for easy troubleshooting) and displays the CPU temperature when running in the OS. Multi-BIOS II is a safety feature that ensures a working BIOS even if it fails once. An Indicator light will always show which revision of the BIOS you are running. Finally, a Clear CMOS button resets your BIOS in case you pushed the settings a bit too far.

Military Class III
MSI's Military Class is the backbone of many overclocking records and also responsible for MSI's great power efficiency and overclocking stability. MSI's Military Class III components are certified to the MIL-STD-810G standard which demands the highest level of stability from components put through extreme conditions extreme heat and freezing cold temperatures, extreme temperature fluctuations and shock & drop tests.

It's pretty much a tweaked version of the Z77A-GD55/65, the boards share the same basic PCB (even the same MSI model number MS-7751) with a slight upgrade to the VRM on this model and some other slight changes like an additional power input and of course the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi dongles (which is odd for an overclocking board imho).

It's pretty much a tweaked version of the Z77A-GD55/65, the boards share the same basic PCB (even the same MSI model number MS-7751)

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Actually, The model number just refers to the layout of the top layer (revision 4.1), the PCB is as far from the GD65(2.1) as it can. (upgraded to 8 layers, Intel T-Topology memory layout, power is completely rewired, flattened weave 1080 grade PCB layers and a new production process that reduces the signal impedance by about 20%

Most obviously this is from the different layout of the CPU power connector, the memory modules are much closer to the edge of the board, not a single fan header is in the same position.

So yeah, it may look like a GD65 to the layman, but it shares not much with it when it comes to the PCB.

I have to imagine regardless what is mounted on the CPU or if its on an open test bench, this heatsink setup will keep temperatures at an acceptable level. In my testing, at stock, these units barely got warm (open test bench, no fans). When overclocked to upper 4 GHz to 5 GHz range, they were warm to the touch…but that is all. So it seems to do its job with little airflow as described.

After some research I'm disappointed that the number of SATA ports was decreased from the Z68 and Z77 GD65 models.

I found out that it has 2xSATA 3 and 4xSATA 2.

That is the only weakness I can see for this MB. Z77 and Z68 GD65 models both have 4xSATA 3 and 4xSATA 2. I'm using 7 SATA ports on my Z68 GD65. Too bad the Mpower cut the number of SATA ports down on the Z77.

For me to buy this I'd have to upgrade my existing storage space configuration. Don't think I will be buying it any time soon. It does look like a great MB though.